Regional Groundwater Project Celebrates One Year in Construction

In April 2015, the Regional Groundwater Storage and Recovery project kicked off construction at the Linear Park site in South San Francisco. Only one year later, the project is more than 32 percent complete and overcoming construction challenges to reach the finish line.


Workers install steel rebar to prepare for the wall pours at the Linear Park well station in July 2015. On the right is the completed exterior of the Linear Park well station in March 2016.


In November 2015, the project started well drilling activities at the Treasure Island site in South San Francisco. The project completed drilling all wells apart of this contract in early 2016.


Construction crews finished installing new pipeline on South Spruce Avenue in South San Francisco in March 2016.

With these milestones successfully complete, the project team knows there is still a lot of work to be done before completion in October 2017.

SFPCU Construction Notice: Lane Closure Planned on S. Spruce Avenue between Huntington Avenue and Centennial Trail

Beginning as early as Monday, March 28, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission’s (SFPUC’s) Regional Groundwater Storage & Recovery Project will begin installing a new pipeline along S. Spruce Avenue between Huntington Avenue and the Centennial Way Trail in South San Francisco. 

• The SFPUC will install an eight inch diameter pipeline along S. Spruce Avenue.
• During pipeline construction, one eastbound lane will remain open to traffic from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. All eastbound lanes on S. Spruce Avenue will reopen at the end of each work day.
• Flaggers will be at the intersection of Huntington Avenue and S. Spruce Avenue to guide traffic during construction.
• During lane closures, access to businesses and homes will be maintained at all times.
• Construction activities are anticipated to last for approximately two weeks. 
• This Project will provide additional sources of water supply to our Peninsula customers in times of drought.

Capturing Construction in Photos

To our construction teams, Robin is a familiar face who frequently visits the active construction sites to shoot some candid photos of construction and our hard workers. Little did we  know that Robin not only works to document the construction progress but she gains much deserved national recognition while she is at it. For the Water System Improvement Program (WSIP), Robin’s photo of the New Irvington Tunnel Project made the Top Ten for the Engineering News Record (ENR) 2015 Year in Construction Photo Contest. This is a prestigious international construction photography competition, and we are extremely proud that Robin’s photo of our own tunnel was a winner!

About Robin

Robin Scheswohl moved to the Bay Area in 2003 from Philadelphia, PA where she studied photography and later worked with corporate and wedding photographers. She’s been with the SFPUC since 2007, working in the Construction Management Bureau and the Engineering Archives. She is responsible for cataloging and preserving thousands of historic images dating back to the 19th century, as well as documenting the Water System Improvement Program (WSIP) construction projects. SFPUC Engineering Archives Photography has curated public exhibits at City Hall, at the San Francisco International Airport, and the SF American Institute of Architects (AIA) Headquarters. The images are used extensively by the SFPUC and appear in books, periodicals, environmental and engineering studies.

Here is Robin filming at the Bay Tunnel, which is the first tunnel constructed under San Francisco Bay.  Congratulations, Robin!

Construction Activities Resume

 

Construction activities for the Regional Groundwater Storage & Recovery (GSR) and Peninsula Pipeline Seismic Upgrade (PPSU) projects will resume today, February 16, after observing the President's Day Holiday.

What’s On Tap in the Peninsula for 2016?

Our SFPUC teams in the Peninsula are looking forward to a busy 2016! The $4.8 billion Water System Improvement Program (WSIP) might be more than 90 percent complete, but there’s still a lot of work left to complete. We look forward to continuing to share information about our current projects and starting new ones in the New Year. Here are a few highlights of what to expect in 2016.

Regional Groundwater Construction Continues to Charge Forward
The Regional Groundwater Storage & Recovery project charges forward to complete well drilling this year, and then the focus will shift to building well facilities at 13 separate sites in 2016. .


Project team directing concrete pour in South San Francisco

The Regional Groundwater and Storage Recovery project is constructing up to 16 new groundwater wells and associated pipelines and equipment to allow us to store groundwater in wet years for use in times of drought. Learn more about the project here: www.sfwater.org/gsr. Construction started in April 2015 and is estimated to be complete in March 2018?


Seismic Upgrade Success in the Peninsula
The Peninsula Pipeline Seismic Upgrade Project (PPSU) project is wrapping up restoration activities. We anticipate the project to be complete in winter 2016. The construction team is working to ensure that the project’s sites are returned to the same condition before our pipeline replacement work started in summer 2014.

The PPSU project consisted of seismic upgrades to three Hetch Hetchy Regional Water System delivery pipelines located in Millbrae, San Bruno, South San Francisco and Colma. These upgrades make the water system more reliable after an earthquake.

Clearing the Way for New Native Habitat on Watershed Lands
Coming up on the Peninsula Watershed this spring, watershed crews will begin hand-removing pampas grass, periwinkle and other non-native, invasive vegetation from several acres along and near the east side of Lower Crystal Springs Reservoir. Over the years the invasive species have gradually but consistently overcome and displaced the area’s original native grasses and other plants.

This initial brush clearing will be the first step in a long-term comprehensive Bioregional Habitat Program to restore about 150 acres of native grasses and oak woodlands within the 26,000-acre watershed. The program is designed to compensate for impacts to habitat resulting from seismic reconstruction of major drinking water facilities within the watershed.


Crews hand-remove non-native, invasive vegetation to make way for the restoration of our historic native habitats.

Hike, Bike, or Ride the Fifield Cahill Ridge Trail
In case you were not aware, members of the public can hike, mountain bike, or ride their horses through the Peninsula Watershed on the Fifield-Cahill Ridge Trail. Access to the trail is by guided groups by reservation only. Those wanting to experience pristine old-growth forests, grassy meadows and ridgetop vistas should make a reservation on line: here.

Make a reservation to hike, bike, or ride on the Fifield Cahill Ridge Trail.

Tree Removal along El Camino Real between Southwood Drive and Orange Avenue

Beginning in late January, the Regional Groundwater Storage & Recovery (GSR) Project will begin removing approximately 26 trees on the SFPUC’s right of way to prepare for pipe installation along El Camino Real between Southwood Drive and Orange Avenue.

Along El Camino Real, the Project will install an eight inch diameter pipeline Real to connect our regional water customers with emergency water supply wells nearby. Our biologists carefully evaluated these trees, and determined the trees would suffer more damage to their roots and foundation if we were to leave them, causing a safety hazard. Due these factors, their age and health they cannot be saved and need to be removed prior to pipeline construction.

The SFPUC is working closely with the City of South San Francisco’s Park and Recreation Department to replace the trees with new vegetation along the right of way in accordance with the SFPUC’s vegetation management policy. The project team has marked the trees to be removed with ribbons.

Above are examples of the trees to be removed.

During tree removal and pipeline construction, the sidewalk and parking lane along southbound El Camino Real between Southwood Drive and W Orange Avenue will be closed Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

Indicated above are the locations of the trees to be removed, the sidewalk detour route and parking lane closure details.

Happy Holidays from Hetch Hetchy Regional Water System!

Thank you for being wonderful customers and neighbors throughout construction in 2015. It has been a busy year on the Peninsula, the SFPUC’s Water System Improvement Program (WSIP) celebrated the completion of the Harry Tracy Water Treatment Plant in San Bruno and the last major water transmission pipeline in the Peninsula region coming into service.

While the Water System Improvement Program overall is now 90 percent complete, we still have a long way to go and our crews are hard at work this holiday season. Below are the construction schedules for the Peninsula Pipeline Seismic Upgrade, Regional Groundwater Storage & Recovery Projects and the San Andreas Pipeline #2 at Junipero Serra Park.

• Construction will be suspended Thursday, December 24 through Sunday, December 27.
• Construction will be suspended Thursday, December 31 through Sunday, January 3.
• Regular construction schedules will resume Monday, January 4.

SFPUC Pipeline Repair to Begin at Junipero Serra Park Entrance

Depicted above is the location of pipeline construction and temporary pedestrian access.

Beginning the week of December 7, crews with the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) will begin construction to permanent repairs on the 130 feet of the large water pipeline that ruptured in July of this year. Construction will take place at the entrance to Junipero Serra County Park. While private vehicles will not be able to access the park, pedestrians will be able to access the park from Crystal Springs Road via an alternate pedestrian path. Please pay close attention to directional signage for park access.

What to Expect:

• Construction mobilization and pipeline demolition and replacement activities inside Junipero Serra Park. Please reference the map above.
• Work hours: Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. through the end of February 2016.
• For safety reasons, the general public will not be able to drive into the park for the duration of construction activities, including over the weekends. 
• Pedestrians entering from Crystal Springs Road will be rerouted to use alternate access, please reference the map above for the exact location. Other pedestrian trails in the park will be mostly unaffected.
• There will be some noise and dust associated construction activities, but environmental monitoring will be in place to ensure these impacts are minimal.

Thank you for your patience as we complete these important pipeline repairs! Questions? Please e-mail blauppe@sfwater.org or miglesias@sfwater.org, or call us toll free at (866) 973-1476.

Construction Update for Lake Merced Golf Club Site

Beginning as early as Tuesday, December 1, construction activities will increase at the Lake Merced Golf Club Project Site to start building a new well facility. This work will occur Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. and intermittently on Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

 Please reference the map above for the construction limits and location of the new well facility.

During well facility construction, there will be an increase in construction deliveries and traffic.The SFPUC and its contractors will work to minimize noise, dust and traffic impacts, but some disruptions are expected due to the nature of construction. Every effort will be made to keep these impacts to a minimum.

In January 2015, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) awarded the $42.9 million construction contract for the Regional Groundwater Storage and Recovery Project to Ranger Pipelines, Inc. This Project started pre-construction activities in Spring 2015 and anticipates completion in early 2018. Construction activities at the Lake Merced Golf Club started in September 2015.

Check out the 2015 WSIP Annual Review Newsletter

As we approach the end of 2015, we’re excited to take a moment to go back in time some of the exciting milestones that the Water System Improvement Program (WSIP) achieved. While the WSIP has been active for the past 10 years and we are at 90 percent completion overall, there are still active projects in construction.

This year’s newsletter highlights various projects from the Peninsula, Bay Division and Sunol regions, including the completion of the Harry Tracy Water Treatment Plant. In addition, we’ll take a look back at the various awards projects have received and an update on the California drought and its impact to our water system.

2015 WSIP Year In Review

Enjoy! 

Construction activities for the Peninsula Pipeline Seismic Upgrade (PPSU) Project and the Regional Groundwater Storage and Recovery (GSR) Project will occur on Wednesday, November 11

PPSU Project Completes Major Construction; Restoration Now Underway in San Bruno

Final look at San Andreas Pipeline No. 3 at Shelter Creek Condominiums in September

Can you believe only two months ago the PPSU project completed pipeline installation and put the new San Andreas Pipeline No. 3 back into service? Now in restoration, the project is working quickly to return the SFPUC’s right of way to how it looked before construction.

Next week, the contractor will focus on repairing and replacing the curb, gutter and sidewalk on the south side of Whitman Way. All pedestrians will be detoured to the sidewalk on the north side of Whitman Way from Monday, November 9 through Friday, November 13. For more information and updates about the PPSU project, please call the 24-hour answering service at (866) 973-1476.

Thank you for your continued patience and support during this project. This project ensures the Hetch Hetchy Regional Water System continues to deliver water to customers after an emergency.

 

Regional Groundwater Project Begins Construction Activities at Treasure Island RV Park Site

Beginning as early as this week, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission’s (SFPUC) Groundwater Storage and Recovery project will begin construction activities. The scope of work includes drilling a new groundwater well that will be 590 feet deep, installing approximately 180 feet of pipeline and building a new well station adjacent to the Treasure Island RV Park in South San Francisco (please reference the map below for the exact location).

24-hour well drilling work will occur continuously for up to

one month inside the blue rectangle pictured above. 

The project anticipates well drilling will begin in October. Once this work begins, it will occur continuously for 24-hours a day for up to one month in duration. To minimize noise impacts, the contractor will monitor noise levels and install sound curtains with blankets to ensure the levels do not exceed the local noise ordinance. During night work, the contractor will rotate construction lighting to direct it away from homes near the well drilling work.

Questions?
For more information about this project, please call the 24-hour answering service at 866-973-1476, or visit the Project webpage at sfwater.org/GSR.

Regional Groundwater Project Begins Construction at Orchard Supply & Hardware Site Next Week

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission’s Regional Groundwater Storage and Recovery (GSR) project anticipates starting construction on approximately Monday, September 28. Major construction activities will include drilling a new groundwater well to a depth of 440 feet deep, installing 790 feet of pipeline and building a new well station near the Orchard Hardware & Supply store in Millbrae. Once drilling begins, this activity will last 24-hours a day for up to one month.

24-hour well drilling work will occur continuously

for up to one month inside the blue rectangle pictured above. 

To minimize noise impacts, the contractor will monitor noise levels and install sound blankets to ensure it does not exceed the local noise ordinance. During night work, the contractor will rotate construction lighting to direct it away from homes near well drilling work.

Questions?
For more information about this project, please call the 24-hour answering service at (866) 973-1476, or visit the Project webpage at sfwater.org/GSR.

Construction Notice: Temporary Trail Closure in Junipero Serra Park

What: Temporary Trail closure in Junipero Serra Park east of Crystal Springs Terrace Apartments (2000 Crystal Springs Road, San Bruno) for pipeline work

When: September 21 – 25, 2015, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Why: Crews will remove earth from on top of water pipelines and inspect them in this area

How: Crews will use large earthmoving equipment

What to Expect:

• Temporary trail closure in the area 
• Noise from large equipment, a small amount of dust in the area 
• Water Department crews will be working in the area 

Thank you for your patience!


Contact us by calling our 24-hour Toll-Free line (866) 973-1476 or visiting www.sfwater.org/peninsula

Mobilization & Construction Activities Begin at Lake Merced Golf Club GSR Site

This week, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission's (SFPUC) Regional Groundwater Storage and Recovery (GSR) Project started mobilization and construction activities to prepare for drilling a new groundwater well that will be 620 feet deep at Lake Merced Golf Club in Daly City (please reference the map on the back for the exact location).

Once well drilling begins, work will occur continuously. To minimize noise impacts, the contractor will monitor noise levels and install sound blankets to ensure the levels do not exceed the local noise ordinance. During night work, the contractor will rotate construction lighting to direct it away from homes near the well drilling work.

24-hour well drilling work at Lake Merced Golf Club anticipates starting 

next week inside the blue rectangle pictured above. 

Once well drilling begins, work will occur continuously for up to one month. To minimize noise impacts, the contractor will monitor noise levels and install sound blankets to ensure the levels do not exceed the local noise ordinance. During night work, the contractor will rotate construction lighting to direct it away from properties near well drilling activities.

For more information about the GSR Project, please be sure to subscribe to this blog, visit sfwater.org/GSR or by calling us at (866) 973-1476.

Heat and High Fire Danger!

You do not need us to tell you that the weather has been unseasonably hot. Daytime temperatures are 10 to 20 degrees above seasonal averages throughout the Bay Area, according to the National Weather Service.  

Because of the high heat and low moisture, our Natural Resources and Lands Management Division has issued a high fire alert for the Peninsula /Alameda Watershed lands that we own. 

If you are driving in the area, please remember:

• Do not pull your car over to the side of the road in the grass. The heat from the underside of your car could quickly spark a grassfire. This is all too common.
• Please do not smoke, hold lit cigarettes out the window, or dispose of cigarette butts onto the side of the road.
• Please do not operate machinery in dry grasses that might generate sparks, including mowers.

For tips on how to stay safe in this heat, please visit the National Weather Service’s website: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/heat/index.shtml.

Please stay hydrated and stay cool out there!

Please do not operate machinery that might generate sparks, including mowers.

Labor Day Holiday Construction Hours

PPSU Project Will Close Whitman Way for Pipeline Work

Beginning as early as Thursday, September 3, Whitman Way will be closed between Shelter Creek Lane and Courtland Drive from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for back filling and repaving across Whitman Way as part of the Peninsula Pipeline Seismic Upgrade (PPSU) Project. Whitman Way will reopen at the end of each work day at 3:30 p.m. 

Whitman Way will be closed during the following time periods: 

· Thursday, September 3 and Friday, September 4

· Tuesday, September 8 through Friday, September 11 

· Monday, September 14 through Friday, September 18

During this closure, all traffic will be detoured to San Bruno Avenue via Shelter Creek Lane, Madison Avenue and Crestmoor Drive. For more information and updates about this closure, please call the 24-hour answering service at (866) 973-1476 or subscribe to this blog to receive project updates.

The full closure of Whitman Way anticipates starting as early as Thursday, September 3 inside the orange rectangle pictured above.

The PPSU project includes seismically upgrading three Hetch Hetchy regional water delivery pipelines located in Northern San Mateo County. This project will ensure the pipelines can continue to deliver water to customers after an emergency. 

PPSU Completes Construction at Millbrae Project Site

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission has finished construction at the PPSU Project’s construction area in Millbrae. Construction at this site started in August 2014 and the contractor has successfully replaced and seismically upgraded more than 950 feet of aging pipeline.

The project team is thankful to the community for their continued patience and partnering spirit throughout construction. These upgrades are critical to ensuring a reliable water supply to millions of Bay Area residents, even after an earthquake. We couldn’t have completed it without your support!

While construction is complete in Millbrae, we encourage you to continue your subscription to this blog or call the 24-hour answering service with any questions to stay informed about Hetch Hetchy Regional Water System.

Thank you!